Grip pattern bowling ball



Nov.27, 1962 J. PRATO, JR 3,065,548 GRIP PATTERN BOWLING BALL Filed May 26, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN /view.

A rralemsrs Nov. 27, 1962 J. PRATO, JR 3,065,548

GRIP PATTERN BOWLING BALL Filed May 26, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

4 rm/ewarr 3,065,548 GRIP PATTERN BOWLING BALL John Prato, Jr., 8024 Alder Ave, Fontana, Calif. Filed May 26, 1961, Ser. No. 112,812 4 Claims. (Cl. 33-174) Unite This invention relates to bowling balls in general, and in particular to a ball providing a variety of finger hole sizes and spacing for determination ofindividual grips. The problem of attaining a proper grip is related basically to size and shape of bowlers hands and fingers, but also tion, which involves a minimum amount of apparatus, at-

tended with simplicity of structure.

It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide an efficient and simplified apparatus for determining the grip of a bowler. More particularly, it is an object to provide a pattern ball for determining grip, which is adjustable to present a variety of spans and hole sizes. In still greater particular it is an object to provide a trial ball which is expandible to vary finger span, and rotatable to present different combinations of hole sizes. The objects also include providing a pattern ball which is simple in structure, easy and certain of operation, readily manufactured, and low in cost.

These and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, are attained by the present invention, which may be briefly described as comprising two herni-spherical components, having a diametrically disposed shaft or spindle affording relative rotation of the components, to present different combinations of finger holes, and also relative, sliding movement of the components, axially, to vary the finger span.

For a more detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the following specification, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the pattern ball, with rotation axis tilted to show the adjusting screw and lock nut.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view, enlarged, of the ball, broken away, in part, along a plane through the rotation axis.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2., showing the ball components in expanded position of adjustment.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view of a detail, taken on the line 4--4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a detail, taken along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the base plate in the ball cavity containing the adjusting screw. 4

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the washer which communicates lift to the base plate of FIGURE 6, and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view, axially of the adjusting screw, taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, there is shown a spherical ball in two, separable parts, comprising a hemisphere 10, with a variety of thumb hole bores 12 of differing depth, diameter and coordinate position, and a hemisphere 14 with a variety of finger hole bores 16 also of differing sizes and locations, but which are also arranged in pairs on latitude parallels, so that fitting may be accomplished for either a two-fingered or a three-fingered ball arrangement.

Component 10 of the sphere has a blind, axial bore 18 ice in which is fitted a tube 20, which serves as a spindle for rotational and sliding adjustment of the ball halves. Thus, the tube 20, which is anchored in ball component 10 by a set screw 22, protrudes above the equatorial plane of part 10, to receive an axial bore 24 in hemisphere 14, which bore has two counterbores 26, 28 to accommodate parts of the adjusting mechanism. A circular floor plate 30 snugly fitted in counterbore 2.8, and secured on the bottom thereof by screws 32, passing through bores 34- in the plate, has a central bore 36, sized to provide clearance for rotation and sliding movement along the threaded, upper end 38 of the tube 20. This threaded section of the tube has diametrically opposed slots 40 in its upper end, which render the tube end bifurcate in form, to provide a slide mounting for a washer 42, while holding it against rotation. Washer 42, which is nested in counterbore 26, beneath plate 30, has a pair of arcuate slots 44, received on the fingers or bifurcations of threaded end 38 of tube 20, between the slots 40, and has a central, threaded bore 46, receiving an adjusting screw 48 by means of which washer 42 is moved, lifting plate 30 to cause separation of theball halves. The reaction thrust for this lifting action is communicated, to the lower ball half 10 through the tube 20, and this is accomplished by a Wing nut 50, secured to a reduced, cylindrical shank 52 at the upper end of screw 48, by a pin 54, and acting against a cap 56,

threaded or otherwise secured in the top opening of tube 20, and having a central bore in which the screw shank 52 is journaled. T o anchor the screw 48 against all sliding movement with respect to cap 56, shank portion 52 carries another pin 58, located beneath a washer 60 which contacts the underside of cap 56. A hand-operated nut 62 of scalloped periphery, is carried on the external threads 38 of tube 20, and serves to lock the ball partsin positions of axial adjustment.

It will be seen that axial adjustment of the parts is accomplished by turning screw 48 in its journal mounting in cap 56 by twisting wing nut 50. Through the threaded connection this causes relative movement of lift washer 42 along screw 48, the tube 20, and hence screw 48, being anchored to ball half 10. In any working position, the lock nut 62 is tight against plate 30, and ball half 14 is therefore held between nut 62 and washer 42. This not only holds the parts in adjusted position but provides a locking action in the threads of nut 62 and washer 42, by oppositely applied forces. To change the adjustment, the assemblage is first loosened by backing ofi nut 62. If further expansion is desired, the lock nut 62 is moved outward an appropriate distance, and the screw 48 is rotated to bring plate 30 into tight contact with the lock, nut 62. The final tightening action may be delivered by either nut 62 or screw 48, and since these are in opposite directions, final adjustment of position can be made to a fine degree of precision.

In making a selection of grip, it will be convenient to select the proper thumb hole, and the proper finger hole or pair of holes, since this will, in general, involve no adjustment of the ball, and to then loosen the lock nut, and rotate the ball halves until the selected holes are aligned on a common meridian. If adjustment of the hole span between thumb and finger holes is necessary, this can be accomplished in the manner aforesaid.

In order to extend the range of usefulness of the apparatus, further hemispheres with additional arrays and sizes of gripping holes may be provided, lower half 10 being removable, for replacement, by the simple expedient of loosening the set screw 22. The upper half 14 may be lifted out, after removal of certain parts, or replacement parts may be each provided with the tube 20.

While a certain, preferred embodiment has been shown and described, modifications may nevertheless become apparent to those skilled in the art, in the light of this disclosure, and the invention should not, therefore, 1 be deemed as limited, except insofar as shall be reasonab y infer-red from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A grip-deterrnining ball for howlers comprising a in the threaded portion, a cap on the outer end of said tube, a screw having a portion journaled in said cap and a threaded portion interiorly of said tube, means holding said screw against movement axially of said tube, a Wing head on said screw externally of said cap, and a second part having an axial "bore receiving said tube, and said latter bore having a counterbore opening through the spherical surface, a first washer having internal threads receiving said screw and arcuate slots receiving the portions of the threaded end of the tube between the slots thereof, a second washer secured in said counterbore in overlying relation to said first washenand alock nut on the threaded portion of said tube, and adapted to contact said second Washer.

2. A grip-determining ball for'bowlers comprising a pair of complementary, hemispherical parts comprising a first part having a blind, axial bore, a tube in said bore extending beyond the equatorial plane face ofsaid first part, and having a threaded portion at its outer end with longitudinal end slots defining a pair of prongs, 'an internally threaded washer having arcuate openings receiving said prongs, a thumb screwthreaded in said washer, a cap on the outer end of said tube journaling said screw rneans to hold said screw against movement axially of said tube, a second part having an axial bore opening in its equatorial plane face and having a counterbore opening in its spherical surface, a plate secured in said counterbor in overlying relation to said washer, and a lock nut received on thethreaded end of said tube and adapted to contact said plate.

3 A grip determining ball for bowlers comprising a pair of complementary, hemispherical parts comprising a first part having a tube extending from its equatorial plane face, and a second part having an axialbore with a counterbore opening into the spherical surface, said tube having a threaded outer end with longitudinal slots defining a pair of prongs, a thumb screw journaled for rotation about the axis of said tube, means to hold said screw against movement axiallyof said tube, a washer threadedly' re ceiving said screw and having openings receiving said prongs, rneans'securing said washer in the saidcounterportion at its outer end longitudinally slotted to provide a plurality of prongs, an internally threaded washer hav- 7 ing openings receiving said prongs, a screw journaled in the outer end of said spindle and threadedly engaging said Washer, means to holdsaid screw against movement axial- 1y of saidspindle and a second part having an opening receiving said spindle with the outer end exposed, exteriorly of the ball, means anchoring said washer to said second part, and a nut on said threaded portion limiting the position'of adjustment of said washer along said screw, and forming a lock means therefor.

References Cited in the file of this patent 7 UNITED STATES PATENTS Reitsma Nov. 2, 1948 

